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SEIA is the solar energy industry’s go-to source for the latest coverage on solar power, including U.S. and international policy, research and polls, business and financing trends, and more. Our staff strives to support the media covering solar energy issues and guide our members on effective media outreach with clear statements, background materials, news and multimedia resources.

SEIA is committed to informing policymakers, the media, and the American public about the benefits of solar energy for today’s communities, our economy, and our country.

Give or take a few hazy mornings or dust storm-influenced afternoons, the sun shines in Phoenix more than 300 days a year. That’s been one of the consistent selling points on why the Valley — and the state of Arizona overall — should be the center of the universe of the solar industry.

Reality, though, indicates something a lot different.

We spoke to Tom Kimbis, vice president of executive affairs for the Solar Energy Industries Association.

PV is set to become the second most important source of power in the US after natural gas by 2040, according to the US government's Energy Information Administration (EIS).

The EIA’s Annual Energy Outlook 2014 predicts the overall rate of new electric generation capacity between now and 2040 will slow compared to recent years, but that solar will become an increasingly important part of the picture.

Today, the National Hockey League (NHL) released a new sustainability report, saying, in part, “We believe it’s important to invest in clean, renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar and hydro in North America. Supporting clean energy will help achieve long-term benefits for our business, such as price stability.”

A new report issued today by the Energy Information Administration (EIA) predicts that most new electric generation capacity in the United States through 2040 will come from natural gas and renewable energy. Of the 83 gigawatts (GW) of renewable capacity additions being forecast, nearly half is expected to come from photovoltaic (PV) systems. After reviewing the report, Rhone Resch, president and CEO of the Solar Industries Association (SEIA), released the following statement:

An Iowa Supreme Court ruling may spur growth of solar energy in the state, according to an industry group.

The decision, "clears the air", Ken Johnson a spokesman for the Washington-based Solar Energy Industries Association, said in an interview today. “It’s going to make Iowa a more viable market for solar investors.”

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SEIA President and CEO Rhone Resch released the following statement today:

“President Obama has made an outstanding choice to head the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Ron Binz has the experience and vision needed to help America ramp up the transition to clean energy sources, including solar. He also has a keen understanding of both the regulatory process and the complexities of today’s electricity distribution system. What’s more, he has been a true champion over the years of energy efficiency, renewable energy and the need to embrace innovative new technologies. SEIA applauds his choice to become FERC chairman, and we look forward to working with him on ways to expand solar deployment across the United States.

In testimony today before the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) objected to India's restrictive trade policies and urged the country's leaders to return to the negotiating table to resolve outstanding trade disputes. India is the world's largest democracy, and a leading U.S. trade partner.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – To support the financing of community solar projects, Senator Mark Udall of Colorado today introduced the bipartisan Solar Uniting Neighborhoods (SUN) Act, which SEIA President and CEO Rhone Resch applauded:

“If approved, Senator Udall’s legislation would allow Americans who work together as a community to employ solar to receive the same tax advantages as individual homeowners and businesses. This is an imaginative and innovative approach to expanding the use of clean solar energy nationwide.

At Solar Power International in Chicago, you may have noticed that the solar industry consists of an amazing array of types and sizes of companies. At Solar Marketing Group, I am lucky to get to work with companies that run the gamut of the solar space and while these companies have their own unique needs, one thread connects us all: We all benefit from growing the amount of solar installed. The industry’s growth comes from a lot of different things, but all of these factors can be spurred or thwarted by political action (or inaction, as the case may be).

The mindbogglingly large number of people in the world–1.3 billion–without access to electricity is providing a growing market opportunity for a lot of social entrepreneurs. I just wrote about one, Nokero, selling solar-powered light bulbs.

A growing number of major corporations with operations around the world are harnessing energy from the sun to save on electricity bills. The Solar Energy Industries Association and Vote Solar recently released data showing some of the most iconic brands have gone solar in 2013.